Griggs courier., 1887-12-16

Only for second, then sudden strength
came to her, and she wrenched herself
away, and stood looking at him, with tears
binding her eyes.
Il can but repeat what I have already
said. It is too late"
"Oh! think, darling, Of my great love.
Have you no love to give me, Lera? MY
life is in your hands, to make or mar. You
have made mistake; you do not love
Raymond Kingsley. It is not too late,
Lera. Be my wife. Do not refuse me-"
His voice-the voice she loved SO we'll
was husky and shook with emotion. The
tenderness; the dark eyes had lost their
laughing light, and were filled with q
pleading wistfulness.
All, how her heart yearned toward him!
The temptation was terrible. A week ago
the knowledge that this man loved her
would have made her the happiest woman
in the world, and now it made her the
most miserable. He loved her, and she
must send him away.
Her promise had been given to Ray
mond Kingsley, true and honorable man,
and she would keep that promise, no mat
fer what the cost. Her voice was low and
clear as she made reply:
II am Raymond Kingsley's promised
wife. and again tell you it is. too late"
tsss! tse, lie Le1ai =. J. PITY me. You do love me
| He never forgot the expression of un-
utterable misery on her face as she turned
toward him.
LET this interview end now, Mr.. Ash
ton. My promise once given is irrevocable.
would not be worth the winning If l
would betray the man who trusts me.
Archie Ashton's face was pale as ashe y.
He looked imploringly at her while tears
gathered in his dark eyes. Lera had risen
and was ready to return to the ballroom.
He could not let her go out of his life like
this. He was sure that he loved her madly,
and his love absorbed all his better
thoughts. It did not occur to him that he
was acting dishonorable in pleading for the
love OF another mans promised wife. He
could see. spite Of her efforts to hide it,
how much it cost her to appear calm.
"Lera," he cried, sthe terrible words YOU
have just spoken are but to test my love
You do not mean them. can not live with.
out you. Lera; do not cast me of for
"Mr. Ashton!" Lera's voice sounded
cold and calm as she interrupted him
"Mr. Ashton, shall never alter my de.
termination; and IL you continue to talk e
me of your love. knowing am another
mans promised wife. / fear shall lose the
respect have always entertained for you
The music has ceased. Let us return tc
the ball ROOM"
I sudden agony that was near akin e
madness seized upon Archie Ashton, but
before he could utter q word the conserva.
tory began TO fill with weary dancers, ant
it was too late to say more. a
} Recovering himself with q mighty effort
he offered Lera his arm, and they returned
to the ballroom. Raymond Kingsley, wal
no where to be seen. Archie Ashton. re-
signed Lera to her next partner. bowed
low, left the room, and then the house.
The rest Of the evening Lera appeare.
the gayest Of the gay, but she was con
scious OF strange dull pain at her heart
That night, as she lay upon her PILLOW
} and thought it over, she felt thrill o
: thankfulness that she had remained tru
to Raymond Kingsley; that the heart tia
trusted her had not been betrayed
She loved Archie Ashton, despite tn
fact that she could not admir-
} his character or rely upon his constancy
She did not love RAYMOND Kingsley, bu
she could trust him; and that was NOR
than half the happiness of life, although
she did not fully realize it then.
Was it all her imagination, or did Ray
} mond Kingsley's face look unusually pal
as he kissed her good night? And did h
soy good night or good-by. Which? Ler
could not tell, and very aoon she fel
I t.asieep. fhes next day She. understood
;4asall; : fnstesd Of Raymond calling, ~ b